Cincinnati offers opportunities to succeed

Coming into my Capstone class, I will be honest with you, I was on the side that said upon graduation, students should look to go somewhere else to live and either stay, or come back in ten years. However, my mind has been changed.

George Takei, best known as Mr. Sulu in 'Star Trek,' leads the Chicken Dance, along with University of Cincinnati dancers, during the cities annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati on Fountain Square in 2013.(Photo: File photo)

In my opinion, Cincinnati is one of the best cities in the country. In no other place can you get the big city feel and at the same time, feel like a family and like you are truly connected with the community. I think we can all agree that Cincinnati might be the smallest, big city in America. You have your private school community and that “east side, west side feel.” Although Cincinnati is not the biggest city in terms of business and population, this last semester of school has helped me see that our city has everything you need to succeed.

John Bernans(Photo: Jay Yocis/University of Cincinna)

In our Capstone class, we had businessmen and women come in and speak to us about their professional careers, Cincinnati, and their advice going forward. From hearing them speak, I know now that Cincinnati gives you all the tools to succeed. They have big business where you can start at a large firm and work your way up the corporate ladder. If that is not for you, there are a ton of small businesses popping up and nonprofits that are great avenues for a career.

If the business world is not of your interests, Cincinnati has so much culture and history that is coming back to the surface. The revival of downtown and the OTR area will set us apart from most cities in the country. Being from Columbus, I have never seen a city that is so filled with pride and joy over their history. Whether it is the murals downtown, Oktoberfest, OTR, or any other part of our community, the pride in who we are sets us apart from other cities around the country. Cincinnati has tremendous places to live and work and its all-only getting better with time.

The biggest reason why I believe people should stay in Cincinnati is that there is so much potential in the city itself and in its people. So often you see college graduates and top executives leave the area for New York or Los Angeles. While these cities are great, it can be hard to find your way. Cincinnati is the perfect size in that we have all the opportunities of a big coastal city with a small feel in which you know you can make a difference. Our city is growing and now is the time that its citizens should ask what they can do for their community to make it the absolute best. We can all make an impact and that is why I am staying in our great city.

Personally, I have chosen to stay in Cincinnati upon graduation. I will attend the University of Cincinnati College of Law and study criminal law. I plan to stay in the city after law school and help make my community a better place to live and pay it forward like the men and women who came before me.